Italy rages over Madonna’s night at the museum

Slideshow: Madonna at the Uffizi

Madonna was in Florence partyl to shoot a new music video for her song Turn Up The Radio

Photograph: News Pictures/WENN

ART experts have accused the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy’s leading
museum, of selling its soul after allowing Madonna and a designer to hire it
for a private visit and a fashion show.

Florentines bristled at the sight of the American pop star, 53, with
her dancer boyfriend Brahim Zaibat, 24, her son Rocco, 11, and a 15-strong
entourage of staff and bodyguards being given a tour last weekend, for an
undisclosed sum.

Madonna spent a couple of hours after closing time visiting the 16th-century
museum, whose collection includes masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and Raphael.

“Madonna was very interested in the works of Botticelli but also in all the
explanations about paintings involving pagan and sacred myths. She seems to
care very much about philosophy and morality,” said Cristina Acidini, her
escort, who is in charge of all state-owned art treasures in Florence.